Oral squamous cell carcinoma involving the maxillae: Factors affecting local recurrence and the value of salvage treatment for overall survival.

Abstract

To determine factors associated with local recurrence (LR) of oral squamous cell carcinoma involving the maxillae (MSCC) and overall survival (OS) after salvage treatment. Retrospective study of MSCC operated between 2000 and 2015. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression were used for analysis of MSCC-associated clinical and histopathological factors. Ninety-five patients were included. LR occurred in 24% of patients. Vascular invasion significantly increased the risk of LR (hazard ratio 4.595, P = .003). Local salvage surgery, in the area of the original tumor, significantly prolonged OS, compared to palliative treatment (P = .001) and extensive salvage surgery (P = .013). Extensive salvage surgery, requiring resection of adjacent facial structures, did not prolong OS compared to palliative treatment (P = .186). MSCC with vascular invasion has higher risk of LR. Salvage surgery may prolong OS in small recurrences but might have dubious value for larger recurrences infiltrating adjacent facial structures.